DISCLAIMER: THE TWILIGHT SAGA AND ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE OWNED BY – I just like to screw with the characters a little.
I have NO EXPERIENCE IN BDSM and this is a fictional story – it is not politically correct and is meant to be fun! I have a wild imagination and that is what this is – my flight of fantasy as such. Now enjoy!
We ended chapter 49 with this…
"Edward? What…"
Edward leaned down and kissed her mouth.
"Time for you to squeal, my Baby…" he said with an evil chuckle.
Bella struggled until she felt his finger gently teasing her clit out of hiding with lube and there was just the sound of the small toy and Bella squeals….
Start the year the way you mean to finish….oh. My.
PEOPLE LIKE US
CHAPTER 50
Bella and Edward spent the morning of New Years day cleaning up the mess that they had made in the bedroom (champagne bottle, toppled glasses and food all over); the den, and the music room had all fallen prey to their 'make up sexathon' as Edward called it.
They were both quite chipper after having had only a few hours of sleep and after a 'couples workout' that Bella found out later was Edward code for 'let's do some running and then have sex on the bench press!', Bella made an enormous brunch and they sat in the kitchen eating pouched eggs, bacon, toast, as well as waffles, syrup and cream with copious amounts of coffee and juice.
"You know, you are going to have to roll me away from this table!" Bella complained as she sat back and patted her stomach with a grimace.
Edward stopped as he was shoveling a forkful of waffle into his mouth and winked at her.
"That's crap, and you know it! Besides you need some stamina food after what we did last night and this morning and maybe later…" he smirked.
Bella groaned and she shook her head vigorously, "I think you broke my kitty, Edward! Or you paralyzed it or something…" Edward started choking and Bella smirked as she thumped his back.
"OW, stop whacking me woman!" He growled as he tried to fend off her hands.
Bella giggled, "My poor battered Edward! Honestly, you are such a pussy!"
Edward pulled Bella onto his lap, "Yeah, but I'm your pussy."
"No, that's broken, remember…"
Edward began making sympathetic noises as he began to kiss Bella through her T-shirt. He pushed her backwards so that she was almost lying in his plate as he moved down to her stomach.
Bella grabbed handfuls of the thick bronze hair and pulled until Edward lifted his head and looked at her with green eyes blazing.
"Once again – Ow! You are seriously killing my buzz here, Baby!" Edward pouted as he rubbed his hair, making it stand up in an even crazier way than usual.
"Edward, we need to do something other than have sex today. You are going to have me walking like John Wayne if you don't stop!" Bella said seriously and she glared at Edward and he almost pushed her off his lap, he was laughing so hard.
Bella huffed and stood up.
"Fine! Well, I'm not sitting here all day, if you are going to behave like a sex-crazed teenager!"
Edward got up and put his arms around Bella. "Would you like to go to a movie and dinner in the city later?"
"What kind of movie?" She asked suspiciously.
"Something fun, some sort of action / adventure maybe, nothing heavy." He said.
"What kind of dinner?" Bella asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Whatever and wherever you feel like." Edward smiled at Bella's gleeful expression.
"Even a huge, chargrilled, burger with everything on it? With greasy fries, onions rings and no salad what so ever" Bella asked as she danced backwards around the kitchen. Edward stalked her slowly, acting nonchalant as he effectively blocked her exits.
Just then the phone rang and Bella ran to pick it up, Edward was hot on her heels.
"HELLO?" Bella's greeting came out in a shout as Edward wiggled his fingers in her direction. He loved the fact that she was so ticklish that all he had to do was wiggle his fingers and she began to squirm and giggle uncontrollably, tickling her was almost anticlimactic.
Almost.
"Geez, Little B? Has too much sex made you deaf?" Emmett's voice rang out.
Bella glared a warning at Edward as she quickly walked around the side of the kitchen island to put as much distance between herself and her tormentor as possible.
"No although Edward did try to set a new record but that's beside the point. Happy New Year, Em, do you want to speak to your sex-crazed brother?"
Emmett laughed. "Actually, I was wondering what you two were doing later? We haven't seen you guys for some time. Do you want to do something together?"
"Hold on a sec, let me ask him?"
Bella put the phone on hold, "Em wants to know if we want to hook up with them later? Should we invite them to dinner and movies?"
Edward pouted dramatically, "Oh! Okay! If we have to, but only if we can have a nap beforehand…" he ended with an over exaggerated wiggle of his eyebrows.
Bella rolled her eyes and she spoke to Emmett again, "Do you two want to catch a movie and dinner with us later? I'm in the mood for a burger with all the toppings and nothing even remotely healthy! What do you say, Em?"
"BARNEY'S! Put Eddie on!" Bella almost dropped the phone at the enthusiastic shout that Emmett gave. She shoved the phone at Edward and she went to clean up their left over brunch.
Bella heard Edward laughing as he argued good naturedly with Emmett about which movie they were going to see, where they would be eating and what time Emmett and Rosalie were coming over.
Finally the kitchen was clean and Bella started the dishwasher just as Edward put the phone down.
"So what is the verdict?" Bella asked.
Edward shook his head, "Well, seeing as you put Emmett in charge of food and let's face it, he is an expert, he has decided that Barney's is the way to go! He's going to try and make reservations. We agreed that you girls can choose the movie as long as it isn't too sappy."
"That's great! Listen, I was wondering if we could maybe go for a walk for a while and talk about next week and therapy and what we should expect to get out of this. I'm a bit on edge about it…" Bella confessed.
Edward stepped forward and caressed her cheek, "I'm so glad that you feel as if you can tell me that, Baby. I know that we may hit some rough patches in the next little while, but if we can keep talking… we can overcome anything!"
Bella nodded, "That's what I thought, too."
****~~~~PLU~~~~****
The day was cool but it wasn't raining as Edward and Bella set out along Rodeo Valley Trail. Bella had never walked through the SF National Park area and she was impressed by the serenity and beauty around them. Edward was wearing a hoodie with the hood pulled up over his telltale hair and he wore aviators. Bella was bundled up in jeans a comfortable pair of boots and one of Edward's oversized hoodie's as well, although she had dressed in several layers.
They held hands as they slowly walked along the pathway. Every now and again a hiker or a family passed them. There were several runners, joggers and dog walkers as well.
"So, what is making you uneasy about therapy?" Edward asked.
"I'm not really sure… perhaps because I haven't met Paul and therapy isn't just about talking to whoever will listen, it's about having a relationship with your therapist; trusting them; believing that they have your best interests at heart and with me speaking to Kate and you and my father, I'm just not sure if I'm ready to talk to someone else; to trust someone else."
Bella kept her head down as she spoke and her hands buried deep in her pockets.
Edward walked slowly thinking about what Bella had said.
"Okay, I hear what you are saying. What if we get rid of the threat?"
"What do you mean? I'm not threatened..."
"But you are Baby, you have admitted that you are afraid of trusting Paul because A: you are not sure if you are going to 'gel' with him and B: you are running a little thin on trust right now because all of the talking and prodding that everyone is doing is 'empting your trust tank' right now."
Bella looked up at Edward and nodded. "Wow, I'm impressed, how very 'Zen' of you." She said.
"Hey! I'm not a completely insensitive asshole, you know! I do listen. So as I was saying, what if we eliminate the threat and we meet with Paul together this week before you all meet up with him for your PTS session?" Edward stopped walking and touched Bella's shoulder gently.
"Bella, look at me love." His voice was quiet and sincere.
Bella reluctantly met Edward's eyes.
"We are in this together, remember? We both need to work through some stuff. Now, do you trust me? I mean really trust me."
"I do. I trust you with my heart and my life." Bella said softly.
"Then trust me on this. Let's meet with him, and if you don't like him or your intuition tells you not to trust him, then we will find someone else, I promise."
"You'll do that for me? Based on what my gut feelings are?" Bella asked.
Edward nodded, "Of course. You are smart, level headed and you have a good intuition. Plus, I trust you." Edward said.
Bella smiled and she slipped her arms around his waist.
"Thank you." She whispered as Edward's own arms closed around her.
"I love you and therapy should make you happier, not add more stress to your life." Edward responded.
They walked on holding hands and making light conversation before returning home to steaming mugs of hot chocolate and muffins.
Edward spent the afternoon reading his script for 'Demon Run'. He lay on the couch in the Den with his shoes kicked off and the fire blazing.
Bella sat nearby on the other couch, drawing. She had been inspired by their walk and had decided to go again soon.
She wanted to walk down to Rodeo Lagoon. Edward said that it was beautiful and that they would go soon. It was about an hour and a half's slow walk from their house.
Bella had promised Edward that she would not walk alone; even before he had time to voice his concerns Bella had seen the worry in his eyes. Now that she understood how helpless he felt whenever she was out of his sight and how worried he was about her safety, Bella knew that she could help him by keeping herself as safe and secure as possible. She hoped that Anderson liked walking!
Every now and again their eyes would stray to each other and they would share a smile.
Bella got up to make some more coffee. Edward held out his hand. Bella took it and knelt down to the side of the couch.
"Hey" he said as he pulled her closer.
"Hey"
"Have you spoken to Charlie today?"
Bella shook her head, "He's fishing with Billy Black today, and Sue said that he'll be home later on this evening. I'll try and call him again before we leave. Otherwise I'll speak to him tomorrow."
They had spoken to Esme and Carlisle that morning to wish them for the New Year. Carlisle was taking Esme out for the day, but they had promised to see them soon as Esme was going to be coming into SF on business with Rosalie.
"Would you like some coffee?" Bella asked as Edward half lifted her onto the seat next to him and turned to slip his leg between hers.
Edward shook his head as he nuzzled her neck. "Huh ah, I just want to cuddle a little…" his voice rumbled in her ear, causing shivers to tingle up and down her spine.
Bella felt her eyes roll back in her head as she arched her back and gave Edward better access. He pressed kissed against her clavicle, and he was sure that he could hear her pulse beating furiously at the base of her throat.
"Mmm… Edward…" Bella whispered as she felt moisture pool at the apex of her thighs.
Edward trailed his lips across her jaw until he captured her inviting lips in a slow, easy kiss. Bella tried to deepen it, but Edward kept the pace lighthearted. He didn't want to start anything now; he had learnt the joys of delayed gratification.
Bella had forgotten and she growled in frustration as she pressed harder against Edward, searching for friction to 'scratch the itch' between her legs.
Bella tugged on Edward's hair, "Stop teasing..." She moaned and Edward chuckled, this time untangling his body as best he could.
"Easy, Baby, remember, we have company coming soon and we were just cuddling. There is always later…" Edward said as he stroked the pout from Bella's bottom lip with an indulgent smile.
"Humph! You're a pussy tease, Edward Cullen." She grumbled half heartedly.
Edward plucked her off the couch and stood up. "Oh come on Grumpy! Let's go have some coffee. I want to give Paul a ring and see if he is free to come over for drinks sometime this week."
Bella poured two mugs of coffee and Bella pulled out a protein bar for herself as she watched Edward dialing the number on the card that he had kept in his wallet.
"Hi Paul, it's Edward Cullen speaking. Happy New Year… thanks. Yes, we were at Stan's last night. Paul, the reason that I'm calling is because Bella my girlfriend is going to be having PTS sessions with you beginning next week, I believe…"
Edward smiled reassuringly at Bella as she sat at the counter, nervously twisting her fingers together. He reached across as he spoke and gently massaged her neck, making small soothing circles under her hair.
Bella felt herself relaxing and returned his smile gratefully.
"Well, Bella and I would like to see if you would be prepared to see us privately and as a couple… that's right… so, I was wanting to know if we could meet for a coffee sometime this week?"
Edward's eyes met Bella's and he nodded slightly as he listened to Paul speaking.
"Yes, it is a bit daunting… thanks Paul, or should we call you Dr Banner-Jones?"
Edward smiled, "Fine, Paul it is. What does your calendar look like? We will fit in with you… alright, tomorrow at three? That sounds perfect. Thank you. Let me give you the address. It's 361 Wolfback Ridge Road. See you then."
Edward put the phone down and slipped into the seat next to Bella. She was regarding him with wide eyes.
"See? It's no big deal. Paul is happy to meet us for coffee, Baby. He understands that we might be feeling a bit of anxiety and he says that it is completely normal." Bella let out a sigh of relief and felt the tension that had been tightening in her stomach ease.
Just then there was a loud knock on the front door. They heard Emmett's voice as he opened the door, "Great security, Asswipe! You didn't even double lock the front door!"
Emmett appeared in the dining room with Rosalie behind him, shaking her head.
"I'm sorry about him, guys. He is being impossible today!" Rosalie said as she stepped around Emmett to hug first Bella and then Edward.
Emmett hugged Bella kissing her cheeks loudly.
Bella giggled and smacked his chest to get him to put her down, before he turned to Edward and picked him up.
Edward began wrestling his brother and soon they were grunting and trying to trip each other as they swore loudly and laughed.
Bella and Rosalie stared at the men rolling around on the stone floor.
"It's so sad. They had such potential and all the time, they are complete morons!" Rosalie said acidly.
Bella laughed. She ran a gentle hand over Rosalie's noticeable rounded belly. "Rosie, look at you! The little Bean is growing nicely."
Rosalie rolled her eyes, "Tell me about it! We are at the halfway point and I have picked up nine pounds in the past three weeks!" Rosalie gave a dramatic shudder, but Bella could see how happy she was.
"Now that the nausea is gone I eat all the damn time!" She moaned.
"I'm going to be like a fucking elephant by the time 'Bean' makes his or her appearance! Nothing fits me! Emmett tried to take me shopping for some maternity clothes, but he wanted to buy me some fucking monstrosity with bright yellow ducks all over it!"
Bella was doubled up with laughter as Rosalie began waving her hands. "Ducks! And then he picked up some smock like thing that was hideous – I asked him if he had a brain aneurysm and if he didn't would he like one!"
Bella wiped her eyes as she looked from a helpless looking Emmett to a glaring Rosalie. Edward was chuckling and patting his brother on the back.
"Well, you hated everything in that store and I only took you there because it is owned by one of my client's. He said that his wife would look after you… anyway, I thought that the ducks were cute…" Emmett said, pouting and showing his dimples – for a moment Bella could see the similarity between Emmett and Edward, even though they didn't share blood, they had the 'Cullen pout' down pat.
Bella rolled her eyes. If their child was anything like its father, God help Rosalie!
Emmett looked down at Bella's feet and he grinned, "Toe socks! Baby B, you are wearing toe socks! That's so… weird and cute, I suppose."
Bell flipped him off and blushed. "I'm going to get changed and then we can go." She said with her nose in the air as she ignored Emmett, which worked really well until she ruined her exit by tripping over her feet and stumbling against the door jamb.
"Ow! Damnfuckblueballsoffire! Mothercracker!" Bella hissed.
Emmett burst out laughing.
"Are you okay Baby?" Edward said, hiding his smile successfully.
Bella growled and turned to him with smarting eyes, "Bumped my toe… I swear that door way was wider…" she muttered as she walked out of the room.
They waited until they heard the faint sound of Bella walking up the stairs before they began chuckling.
"You know that I can hear you, don't you?" Bella shouted.
"Oh God, she is a walking accident! I have no idea what you are going to do when Bella falls pregnant, E!" Rosalie chuckled.
"Confining her to bed rest for nine months!" Edward said half seriously. He chuckled again but stopped when he saw the shocked looks on Emmett and Rosalie's face.
"What?" He said.
Emmett shook his head, "Wow. You didn't even blink before you answered little brother. Does that mean that you are ready to take that step?" He asked.
Rosalie glared at her husband in exasperation, "Of course he is, Emmett! Look at them for God's sake!"
Edward ran his hand through his hair, shifting uncomfortably, "I'm not sure what you mean by 'that step', but I am ready to spend the rest of my life with Bella. I love her more than my own life, Em, you know that. There are lots of things that will need to change before we have children, but I will be the happiest man on the planet when she has my child." Edward said.
Rosalie felt tears prick the backs of her eyes. Fucking hormones! They are turning me into a pussy!
Rosalie cleared her throat and snapped at Edward, "Well don't keep us waiting too long, 'Bean' here is going to need some company" she said and Edward smiled at her as he leaned across and rubbed her swollen stomach.
Emmett growled, "Hands off, fucker! Why is it that every fucking person in a five mile radius of a swollen stomach thinks that they have the right to touch my wife! It's insane, you'll see tonight, and it's not just women or kids, its men too – it's like a magnet calling to anyone who will listen, 'Touch me! Touch me!' Well the next asshole that touches my woman is going to spend the next few weeks in hospital!"
Bella walked into the kitchen. She had on her favorite boots and was wearing a black cowlneck sweater which she wore over black jeans.
Rosalie looked at her in envy. "That's gorgeous, B"
Bella smiled, "We are going shopping tomorrow morning, Mrs. Cullen! You need to get your mojo back! You are going to be getting a lot bigger than this and you are going to have to be prepared."
Rosalie grinned, "That's perfect. Ali and Jazz get back tonight and she has been telling me how much she is aching to go shopping! We can all go – guys as well, what do you… what's wrong?" Rosalie's voice trailed off as she saw the look of misery that swept over Bella's face.
Bella looked up at Edward quickly, blushing, before she just shook her head, "Um nothing, but I don't think that we can make it tomorrow. I just remembered that we've got a 'thing' to attend… um, you should totally go with Alice though; she will love it. There are so many great stores in SF. Gap and Pea in a Pod… yeah; you'll find some good stuff…" Bella said.
"So, are we ready to go?" She said wiping the sad look from her eyes and replacing it with a well placed fake smile.
"Let's go in one car. It's crazy for us both to drive." Edward said. He ignored the hard look that Emmett gave him.
Emmett knew why Bella was so sad. He had been in the plane when Edward and Jasper had proudly spoken of the punishment that they were metering out to the girls.
Emmett was ashamed that he had done nothing to stop them; in fact he had encouraged their nonsense.
It had only been when Carlisle had ripped him a new one for the part that he played in the previous days' events that he had seen how wrong he had been to not even suggest that what they were doing was wrong and for encouraging them to act so immaturely.
He hadn't had the courage to apologize to Bella yet and he hadn't told Rosalie what had happened because he didn't want to upset her. At least that's what he told himself.
Rosalie watched as first Bella and then Edward walked down the hallway. She looked over at her husband, who was looking decidedly uncomfortable.
Rosalie's eyes narrowed; she might be pregnant, but her brain was still working and Emmett could never keep secrets from her.
"What was that all about?" Rosalie asked.
Emmett gave a strangled grunt and he did a silly half shrug that indicated that he knew he was trapped.
"Who knows? Come on, let's go" he grunted again.
Rosalie put her hand on his chest as he tried to walk past her.
"Is this about the other day, when you went running off with your hotheaded brothers and I warned you not to do anything stupid? Or dangerous? Hmmm?" Rosalie hissed.
Emmett flinched. He had been in the Marines for over five years; he had served overseas twice and still the svelte blonde could make him sweat like no one else had ever been able to do.
"It wasn't me Rosie! It was them. I was just back up, I swear! I'll explain everything later, I promise!" Emmett said.
"You bet your ass you will!" Rosalie hissed as she turned and walked out of the kitchen.
Her words didn't fill Emmett with relief.
Oh shit.
Bella walked to the hallway closet and she pulled out her wool coat. She pulled it on and tied the thick belt in her waist. Bella watched as Edward reach for an old denim jacket in the closet and he pulled it over his hoodie, he looked like a model.
"Bella…" Edward began, but she stopped him with a quick kiss to his cheek.
"No, it's okay. I understand. You said that you would think about it and that you would talk to Jazz and I accept that. I just miss her, you know?" Bella said quietly.
Edward nodded, "I know" he sighed.
Rosalie stared at them hard as she and Emmett joined them at the front door.
Emmett elected to drive and Edward picked Bella up before putting her in the back seat. Rosalie sat up front with Emmett.
They made small talk all the way into town and even though everyone was thinking about them, no one brought up Jasper or Alice.
Emmett parked outside Barney's on 24th street. "They close at 7 p.m. are you hungry little B?" Emmett said, trying to lighten the mood.
"You promised me the best, juiciest burger with fries, onion rings and no veggies, I'm so ready for this!" Bella said as she linked arms with Emmett and they walked into Barney's together, leaving Rosalie and Edward standing on the sidewalk staring after their partners.
"Well, my dearest sister, may I escort you in?" Edward asked putting his hand at small of Rosalie's back to protect her on the slippery, damp sidewalk.
"You may, if you tell me why Bella looked so sad when I mentioned shopping with the Pixie and Jazz?" Rosalie pinned Edward with her laser glare.
Edward sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Okay, long story short. Alice has been keeping a secret from Jasper for months. It seems his brother has been harassing her when they see his family. It was her story to tell. Bella guessed it and Alice swore her to secrecy – bad move all round. Bella had a nightmare and inadvertently spilled her guts. Jazz and I freaked out and as a result we decided that Bella and Alice aren't allowed to have any contact with each other for a month. No calls, emails, smoke signals – nothing. Then things got a little out of hand… Emmett may have suggested that we teach the girls another lesson by spending the night at Cullen Crest and not telling them where we were."
Rosalie gasped, "You cannot be serious! Please tell me that Emmett didn't do that and that you didn't go along with it…"
Edward scuffed the toe of his sneaker on the pavement, "We did and it was stupid, selfish and thoughtless. I apologized and we are working to get over it, but the month long ban stands. That's it. Now let's go Rose, I'm starving." Edward said and this time he frog marched Rosalie through the doors.
Emmett and Bella were sitting at a booth in the corner as Edward and Rosalie took seats next to each other.
Emmett smiled at his wife, "There you two are at last! Come on you need to order."
Bella smiled at Edward "This place is amazing! Have you seen all of their selections and have you seen how big their burgers are?"
Edward grinned at Bella's enthusiasm. "Yes, my Love, I have seen the menu and I have seen the size of their burgers. You'd better take it easy though, Baby, or else you are going to end up with stomach cramps."
Bella wrinkled her nose at him, "Nonsense, Em says that we can take the leftovers home, too! So we won't be wasting!"
Rosalie laughed, "Anyone would think that you're pregnant, B! You're not, are you?"
Bella felt the color rise in her cheeks, "What? No!"
Bella glared at Emmett who was grinning and wagging his finger at her.
"Baby B! Are you having a little Eddie?" Emmett's voice rose.
"EDWARD AND I ARE NOT PREGNANT, OKAY?" Bella shouted.
There was silence.
Total silence.
Bella look around and noticed that every person in the restaurant was staring at their table with open mouths – and almost everyone recognized who she was sitting with.
Talking began again.
More like frenzied whispers.
And pointing.
At Bella.
And Edward.
Bella looked at Edward in horror. "I'm so sorry! Oh! God! Edward, I'm so, so sorry! I've ruined our evening."
Bella slumped forward in her seat and put her head on the table in mortification.
She felt the bench shift and a few minutes later a familiar hand was rubbing up and down her back.
Edward put his mouth next to her ear.
"Its okay, Baby. You haven't ruined anything. Come on, everyone has already forgotten about it. Now sit up or the waitress is going to think that you're about to give me a blowjob and that will get everyone talking again."
Bella started to giggle and Edward smiled as she lifted her head. He turned her face gently towards him and he deliberately kissed her mouth.
"There you are; all better now?"
Bella nodded. "Thank you." She said.
"No worries, now what amazing feast have you chosen to devour?"
A waitress came over at Emmett's signal and they quickly ordered their burgers with side servings of onions and fries.
Bella and Emmett ordered shakes, Rosalie and Edward ordered bottled water.
Emmett looked over at Edward and tilted his head slightly to the room at large. Edward gave an almost imperceptible nod. People were busy texting and he knew that someone would have taken photos and spread their location to the Internet.
Edward knew what that meant. While Rosalie and Bella spoke to each other, Emmett excused himself and he walked outside to make a call to a couple of his men on standby duty. He apologized for the lateness of the call and asked them to meet him outside Barney's in an hour.
Bella looked at Emmett as he sat down again.
She looked at Edward with a frown, "Is everything okay?"
Edward put a hand on her thigh and stroked her lightly, "Everything is fine, Baby. Now stop getting anxious. Emmett noticed that there might be some press outside. But that's nothing that we haven't dealt with before right? He is just concerned about Rosie, so he asked a couple of his guys to escort us to the movies, okay?"
Bella searched his face and she obviously saw that Edward wasn't concerned and so she relaxed somewhat.
"Okay." She said.
Their meal arrived and Bella stifled a laugh at the death stare that Rosalie gave the waitresses that were jostling to bring their drinks to the table.
Once again, Edward steered the conversation to light topics, steering attention away from Bella as she ate with slow deliberation.
Bella took her time to chew slowly. The burger was delicious! "Hmmm… ohmyGodthisisgood!" Bella mumbled and Emmett groaned in agreement.
They laughed and chatted as they ate; Emmett was impressed at the concerted effort that Bella made to finish all the food on her plate. He gave her impressed double thumbs up when she finally surrendered and had to admit that there was just too much food for her to eat.
"Damn B; your appetite is rivaling my beautiful wife's at this stage!" Emmett grinned. He pouted when Rosalie elbowed him in the side.
"Ow! Come on Baby, admit it. It is more than my life is worth to try and come between you and food…" Emmett said as he and Edward snorted and chuckled.
Rosalie glared at them. "Fucking dicks! B, are you sure you want to see Avatar?"
Bella was trying to hide her giggles and she just nodded.
"I can't wait to see what all the fuss has been about…blue people? Hmmm"
Edward gave the waitress one of his famous crooked smiles as he asked her to pack up the rest of Bella's burger to go.
He is completely shameless! Bella thought with a roll of her eyes and a glare at the slut that was smiling at Edward so hard that she almost walked into the door.
Bella shook her head at Rosalie, who was snorting.
Yeah, I know how that feels, Honey, he has that effect on lots of people…
Bella's eyes met Rosalie and they smirked at each other, as Edward and Emmett to some extent, tried to deflect the increasing attention that their table was receiving by ignoring everyone.
Emmett settled the bill quickly and they made their way to the front door. Bella could see the camera lights from where she stood and she felt her body stiffen, as if bracing herself for the onslaught of noise, light, and the growing frenzy outside.
Edward saw the look of panic on Bella's face. He stopped outside the door and turned her to face him as if they were the only two people in the room.
"Isabella, look at me." He said sharply.
Bella took into Edward's steady green gaze. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"That's it; good girl. Now, remember, we've done this before. It's a piece of cake. Em will go first with Rosalie then I will go with you. You just keep holding my hand and do not stop for anyone, okay? It's no biggy. Can you do this?" Edward made sure that he spoke in a commanding but soothing tone, not letting Bella know that already the bogus 'pregnancy' scare would be plastered all over the Internet. They would ride the shit storm in the morning.
Bella took a deep breath. "I'm with you. It's no biggy. We can do this." She repeated.
Edward nodded and then looked at Emmett, "You ready?"
Emmett put his arm around Rosalie, holding on to her as if she was a Dresden china doll. He opened the door and glared at the crowd menacingly.
They hadn't been expecting to see Emmett emerge first, but when they realized that he was with his pregnant wife, the paparazzi began snapping away.
Emmett issued a growl of warning when an overzealous member of the press stepped in front of Rosalie.
"Fuck off!" Emmett snarled and the man slipped in his haste to move out of the path. Emmett nodded to Anderson and Halverson as they stood at the open door of the SUV.
"Fucking glad to see you! We'll be okay – go and help Edward!" He said loudly as he picked Rosalie up as if she weighed nothing and put her into the car.
"Head down, Babe – you know the drill!" Emmett shouted as he ran around and opened his door. He started the car and gunned the engine.
Bella clutched her burger take away in one hand and Edward's hand in the other.
Edward opened the door and was momentarily blinded by the flashing of lights. The dull cacophony of sound had become a screaming match, with fans and paparazzi vying for attention.
"EDWARD! I LOVE YOU!"
"EDWARD! OVER HERE!"
"ARE YOU PREGNANT, BELLA?"
"WHEN IS THE BABY DUE?"
"EDWARD! MARRY ME!"
"BELLA! BELLA! WHEN IS THE DATE?"
"EDWARD! ARE YOU OFF THE MARKET?"
"KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN!" Edward shouted in Bella's ear.
Unlike before, the crowd was not respectful or mindful of personal space and they surged forward in an effort to touch or get close to the golden couple.
Bella's legs felt like lead. Edward was pulling her forward, but she was being pulled backwards, she felt hands pulling her. Her hair was being pulled; she felt nails raking down her back. Someone grabbed her coat and Bella felt a rip as she felt hands pulling her.
Bella began to panic. She felt her hand slipping out of Edward's.
"EDWARD!" She screamed.
Edward swung around. Bella saw his fist coming for her and she pressed her face into his shoulder.
"NO EDWARD – DON'T!" She screamed, but it was too late. There was the sound of fist connecting with bone.
Then there was screams, panic as the crowd began to turn aggressive. The reporter let out a stream of shouts and began cursing.
"FUCK YOU, CULLEN!"
Suddenly, Emmett there: he screamed at Edward to get Bella out of the way.
Bella felt herself being picked up and she was unceremoniously flung over Edward's shoulder.
Seconds later she was tossed inside the SUV – Edward jumped in after her, covering her with his body.
****~~~~PLU~~~~****
Emmett, Anderson and Halverson formed an immovable line behind them as they moved backwards towards Emmett's Jeep.
The angry report was cursing and swearing as he held his jaw. "YOU'LL BE FUCKING SORRY, YOU ASSHOLE!"
Emmett glared at the crowd, "BACK. THE. FUCK. OFF. NOW!" His voice carried with deathly coldness. It matched the glint in his eyes.
He turned to his men, "Are you in one car?"
Anderson spoke up, not taking his eyes off the crowd that seemed to be growing by the second.
They heard sirens in the background.
"Two"
Emmett nodded.
"Good. Anderson, you take point – my place. Hal, stick to our ass like shit on fur – this is going to be messy. These fuckers are spoiling for a fight. Watch your backs and sides. We don't want any accidents. Let's go. When the cops arrive, they can find us."
They nodded and Emmett got into the driver's seat and locked the doors.
Nobody spoke. Rosalie was swearing under her breath, but her face was white.
Bella pushed against Edward, "I can't breathe!" She said, her voice high pitched and full of panic.
Edward felt sweat roll down his back and he pulled his denim jacket off.
He turned to Bella. "Are you hurt?" He asked frantically reaching for her.
Bella winced and pulled away from him.
"Ow! Shit! I'm… I'm not-t-t s-sure, but I think so! I don't know!" Bella snapped at him, coconscious of the fact that she was stuttering.
Edward backed off. He realized that she needed some distance and didn't want to be touched.
He held his hands up in surrender. He used his sight to check her over.
Her hair was a mess. He could see some scratches on her the side of her face and her neck.
The fucking bastards!
Bella held up a hand that was shaking so much, that she used her free hand to steady it.
"H-hey E-Em!" Bella groaned as she began to stutter.
She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths and then tried again.
"I've still got my take-outs!" She said. Emmett turned in his seat and smiled at Bella.
"Fuck Little B! You are my kinda woman! Shit Edward! At least she has her priorities straight!" He said jovially.
When Bella sat back and stared out of the side window, Emmett's eyes met Edward's in the rear view mirror.
They communicated silently.
Edward nodded. Thank you, Bro'.
Emmett gave him a blink and a slight shrug in response: you're my kid brother – I've got your back.
Anderson pulled into the traffic and Emmett was right behind him. Halverson almost rear ended Emmett in his haste to block a couple of cars that tried to pull behind Emmett.
Emmett looked at Edward in his mirror.
"You need to call Aro and call Uncle Jeremiah. That douche bag back there is going to cause a problem – fuck Edward! What were you thinking of – slugging a reporter like that? Mom's going to go hysterical; Dad's going to be pissed as all hell." Emmett muttered something under his breath and shook his head.
"So, is the movie out of the question?" Emmett asked, "I really wanted to see Avatar…" he said sounding like a whining five year old.
There was silence and then Bella snorted. She gasped and covered her mouth but she snorted again. She stared at Edward with eyes wide with shock.
Rosalie turned at looked at Bella. When she saw Bella's smudged mascara, bird's nest hair and pale skin, she too started laughing.
Emmett stared at his wife and then looked at Edward in the mirror.
"Don't fucking look at me – it's the girls that have gone fucking loony, not me!" Edward grumbled. He looked at Bella who was holding her stomach as she giggled.
"What is so funny?" Edward whined to her.
"H-h-how… Oh God… How will we… get in? Have you looked at… us?" Bella gasped and she started laughing again.
Edward looked at Bella. The he looked at Rosalie, who wasn't much better. Her hair was also a mess; the carefully arranged ballerina bun was hanging in her neck. Her long sleeve shirt was torn on the seam and somehow she had lost a shoe.
"You lost a shoe…" Edward mused as he looked at Rosalie wiggling her toes.
Edward met Emmett's eyes, "How the fuck did she loose a shoe?"
Suddenly they were all howling with laughter. A couple of paparazzi on motorbikes were shocked to see the four adults who just moments before were looking tense, afraid and fierce and were now laughing as if they found something extremely funny.
A reporter that was on his phone to his editor as he tried to stay with the Cullen convoy relayed what he was seeing.
"It's a fucking pity, Boss – but it looks like the Cullen's have turned to drugs! Fucking shame! Well it looks like they are laughing or crying or something like that! Even the pregnant one! Yeah we're taking pictures! You'll get them now! Wait – it looks like Bella is crying now… yep, definitely drugs!"
They drove back to Emmett's house and Bella was thrilled to see Anderson and she hugged him unashamedly. They decided to call it a night, as Rosalie was feeling drained after all the excitement and Anderson drove them home that evening.
Edward looked at Bella when they got home, pulling off her ruined coat. "Are you sure that you're okay?" He asked for the tenth time, his eyes raking over her body.
Bella nodded, "Edward, I'm fine! I was a little scared back there, but I am fine, I promise! What about you, though? Is this going to be a problem? I can't believe how quickly things escalated back there…"
"I'm fine, Baby. Look this type of thing happens. Not often here, I will admit, normally it's like this more in L.A. but maybe it's a slow day for gossip. Either way, it's not a problem. We just need to do some damage control."
Edward kept telling Bella that what had happened wasn't a major problem, but he excused himself when they got home to make a couple of calls.
There were several messages on the home machine.
ARO: So, Bella's pregnant and you've got yourself involved in drugs and you have become violent all in a week! Happy New Year, by the way, this is your agent. Call me tomorrow, I'm enjoying some time with my family.
FELIX: Edward – what are you trying to do to me on New Year's Day? Give me a heart attack? CALL ME!
CARLISLE: Edward, you've made your mother cry – I don't like to see her cry. What the hell have you been up to? This is your father, call me.
CHARLIE: Isabella, this is your father. Seth just phoned me. Are you pregnant? You need to call me now, please.
FUCK! Happy New Year to me! Edward thought as he picked up the phone.
Bella walked into the study as Edward spoke to a frantic Felix. He looked up as she walked in with a beer in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. He put the phone on speaker as he pulled Bella onto his lap.
"…. So Edward, can you see how this looks? What the hell do you want me to say?"
Edward took a long pull of his beer, "Felix, the story is this: We were out to dinner with my brother and his wife. Rosalie made a comment about pregnancy and Bella responded that we are NOT pregnant. Some people overheard her and the next thing there are paps and fans all over the front door. Emmett called for security and we left. Bella was manhandled by some slimy little fucker and I hit him. We left. End of story. If he presses charges so will we. That's it." Edward's voice was hard. He meant business and Felix knew it.
"Alright Edward, well we're just glad that you're okay. Heidi is on the phone now, threatening legal action against any unsubstantiated bogus stories, but you know what it's out there now. There are about three hundred photos of the four of you leaving the restaurant, the punch, the drive home…"
"Shit! I know Felix, just do your best. I'll talk to you again." Edward disconnected the call. Bella was sitting stiffly in his lap.
"Is this bad?" She asked quietly.
Edward turned her to face him, "Isabella, stop it right now! I know what you are doing and you need to stop it! This is not your fault! If you start this bullshit, I will take you upstairs right now and I will give you something to feel bad about! Do you understand me?"
He was holding her chin in his hand and staring into her eyes.
His face was hard and uncompromising.
Bella nodded, "Okay, you're right. I'm sorry."
Edward's face softened, "I am right and I love you. Now I need to speak to Carlisle and you need to phone your father."
Bella frowned, "Charlie?"
Edward grimaced, "Yeah, it seems that Seth follows the gossip rags on twitter…"
"Shit!" Bella said as she got off his lap.
"I'll call him from inside. You call your dad." She said as she headed out the door.
Edward walked into the kitchen when he finished talking to Carlisle and reassuring his mother that everything was fine and Bella was not pregnant. It seemed that a nosy reporter had phoned Cullen Crest for a comment from the 'grandparents-to-be…
Bella was sitting at the kitchen counter sipping the last of her wine.
She looked up as he sat down next to her, "Are Carlisle and Esmé alright?" She asked.
Edward nodded, "Yeah, storm in a teacup. Esmé tends to get upset when reporters phone her with wild stories. How is Charlie? Does he want to kill me?"
Bella laughed, "Not anymore. He calmed down and in fact, he is proud of the way you defended me. So, are we good?"
Edward took her hand and kissed the back of it, "We are very good. Are you tired?"
"I am actually."
Bella picked up Edward's hand. The knuckles looked red and a little swollen. She brought his hand to her mouth and kissed each knuckle in turn.
"My hero…" she said and smiled into his eyes.
"Come on, let's go and test drive our new bath…" Edward whispered.
****~~~~PLU~~~~****
Emmett wondered what was wrong with Rosalie. She had been acting strange ever since they had arrived home. Rosalie had seemed fine in the car, and although she hated fussing, she accepted his attentive questions about how she was feeling after leaving Barnie's.
Bella and Edward hadn't stayed long; in fact, they had merely said goodnight and left with Anderson after Rosalie had mentioned that she was feeling a little tired.
As soon as they had left however, Rosalie had glared at him, muttered something about 'handing his head to him on a fucking platter' and she had stormed upstairs.
Emmett scratched the back of his neck.
What the fuck? Women! Never mind the fact that she was pregnant and unduly emotional, which for Rosalie Cullen was a first and she hated it!
Emmett thought back over the evening, everything had been fine until… she and Edward had stood chatting outside of the restaurant… oh! Fuck! Edward had told her what was eating Little B!
FUCK. MY. LIFE! Emmett thought as he pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut tightly. Fuck! Fuck! Fuckity Fuck!
He knew that she was itching for a thrown-down.
Grow a pair, Cullen! Emmett thought sulkily to himself as he switched off the lights downstairs and checked that the security system was armed and fully functional.
When Emmett walked into the bedroom, he was relieved and excited to hear the shower running.
Rosalie was even more horny than usual and Emmett could count on one hand the number of times that they had not had sex more than once a day in the past three weeks! Morning and bedtime and sometimes while watching television, he would see that glint in Rosie's eyes. She would alternately attack him and be all controlling, which was such a turn-on, Emmett thought as he quickly undressed, or like this morning, Rosalie had begged him to 'devour' her, Emmett grinned as he thought of how it had taken Rosalie quite a while before she was able to speak and then all she had said was… "Incredible… Em, you are the best…" before she had giggled and snuggled up in his arms.
Oh yeah! Rosalie was touched by the Magic Stick… maybe Mr. Magic should make an appearance now…
Emmett opened the shower door, but was completely unprepared for the shower sponge that hit his face.
"What the…?" He shouted.
"You are in some deep shit, Emmett Cullen; I am not putting up with your shit! Now get out of my shower!" Rosalie growled at him.
Emmett whimpered at the sight of his spectacular wife standing with water and soap suds sluicing down her enlarged breasts and over the gentle swell of her rounded belly.
"But…" he started to protest.
Rosalie cut him off. "I will kill you where you stand if you so much as touch me! Seriously, Emmett, I am really, really pissed off with you! Just wait for me inside, I'll be out there soon."
Emmett quickly beat a hasty retreat. He knew when not to fuck around with 'the Beast' as he had taken to calling Rosalie when she was in this mood.
Emmett sighed as he dried his wet chest and face. He pulled on a pair of sleep pants and brushed his teeth in the meantime.
When he heard the shower stop, he quickly walked into their spacious bedroom and sat down in one of the armchairs that faced their fireplace.
He was tempted to turn the television on to see what games were on, but he resisted, knowing that it would just piss Rose off more.
Rosalie walked into the room wearing one of his T-shirts, and in spite of her mood, Emmett felt himself grow hard at the sight of her changing body encased in the soft green cloth.
Rosalie walked over and sat down in the matching chair. She was combing her hair and she was glaring at him.
Shit!
"Um, I can see that you are angry, Rosie, but there's an explanation…" he began.
Her laser blue glare stopped Emmett's words.
Rosalie sighed and shook her head. "How long have we known each other?"
Emmett frowned at the question, "I don't know, for about twenty years or so…"
Rosalie nodded, "and in all that time, have I ever condoned your harebrained fucking schemes?" Her voice rose threateningly.
"Well, no, but …"
"Emmett – shut up! In what world would I EVER condone those two idiots putting the screws on my sisters?"
Emmett kept silent.
"And you encouraged them! In fact, I believe, after talking to your lame-ass brother that you suggested that they not go home, but that they go to the folks 'to teach the girls a lesson!' REALLY? The fact that they went along with this fucked up idea of yours is one thing, but Emmett, Alice is your sister! Your baby sister! And I know that you raced off to beat the shit out of that loser low-life brother of Jasper's, but your SECOND thought should have been about Alice! You should have raced over to her and found out if she was okay and to see if she needed anything. And yes, you could have chewed her ass for not telling any of us, but to think that you came home, muttering about 'metering out punishment' and acting all righteous and cagey! YOU ARE AS BIG AN ASSHOLE AS EDWARD AND JASPER!"
Emmett was a little alarmed at the redness of Rosalie's face.
"You need to calm down, Rosie…" Emmett said.
Rosalie shook her head and sighed. "What I need is for you to apologize to Bella and Alice and to never interfere again. What I need is for you to stop for a moment and think of your sisters and how they are feeling."
Emmett bit back a curse as he saw tears flood Rosalie's eyes. She brushed them away angrily and sniffed.
"I… I want to know that if something like that happened to us, that my brothers would be there for me… for us…" she began to rub her swollen bump.
"Aaaaww – Rosie, I'm sorry, Baby…" Emmett was out of his seat and kneeling at her feet before she even realized it. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him as he buried his face in her lap, kissing her hands and stomach through the cloth.
Rosalie moved her hands and she pushed them into his thick, soft curls.
"You're right. It was stupid and childish and I have no excuse, except to say that I was so pissed off that this was happening again but this time we could do something about it! I've got your back Rosie. I will never leave you and Bean… I love you and you are a Cullen and us Cullen's, we stick together, Baby…"
Rosalie pulled his face up to hers, "but you didn't… when the chips were down you sided with Jasper and Edward… against B and Ali instead of acting like the older brother and getting them together to sort it out…"
Emmett leaned forward and kissed the stray tears off her cheeks before his mouth closed softly over hers. He pulled back and brushed her damp curls out of her eyes.
"I know. And I really am sorry and I will speak to the girls and the guys. Carlisle already went postal all over me about the entire thing. He was furious that we'd chosen sides. It seems that Esme also stuck up for the guys and he is really pissed about it. I will never do this again. Now, can I please make it up to you… pretty please?"
Rosalie rolled her eyes at his twinkling blue ones and the dimples that were peeking out at her.
He is just so fucking cute! And fuck hot to boot!
"Weeeell, seeing as you did ask so nicely… and my pussy needs a cuddle…." Rosalie let out a loud guffaw as Emmett growled and scooped her up in his arms.
"And that's how it's done ladies and gentlemen! It's all in the eyes…and the lips…and the tits…and the…" Emmett's voice faded.
****~~~~PLU~~~~****
Bella sat next to Edward holding her coffee mug in both hands as she watched Paul talk to Edward. He was a nice man and not at all what Bella had imagined.
Although, she hadn't known what to expect, and the tall, slim, studious looking man with the wire glasses and torn jeans had surprised her. He seemed to be in his mid thirties with mousy brown hair that was straight and flopped into his face and light hazel / green eyes.
He had accepted coffee and a big slice of pound cake, before they took their seats in the den.
After telling them about himself, how he had studied Clinical Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and how he ran his own private practice as well as working at the local mental health clinic, Paul Banner-Jones invited Bella and Edward to ask him questions and then he began to ask some rudimentary questions of his own.
Two hours and an impromptu stir-fry dinner later, and Bella was feeling as if she had known Paul for years. He was easy to talk to; he was caring without crowding; probing without making her feel as if she was under a microscope, but all the while he was respectful of her personal space and seemed to sense when to push her and when to step back.
With gentle encouragement and Edward next to her, Bella told Paul about Jacob. She didn't go into great detail, but she gave him enough information. She also touched on the complicated relationship with her parents.
Edward sat quietly observing Bella as she spoke to Paul. At first she had been quiet and tense and more than once Edward had seen her press a hand to her stomach as if to sooth it. Her questions had been probing, almost as if she was assessing Paul. Edward had watched as Paul had skillfully drawn Bella into the conversation during the afternoon and evening, never seeming to single her out, but he made a point of volunteering information about his own life experiences before he asked Bella and himself about their lives.
Finally Paul sat back and smiled at them. "Well kids, here's the good news. Neither of you are crazy, or unstable. You are both perfectly normal with normal 'abnormalities' in your lives. Bella; you've had more than your fair share of twists in your young life, but you have overcome a great deal on your own and with some great help in the past and it sounds as if you have a fantastic support system."
Bella smiled and she clutched Edward's hand tighter. "Edward is the best thing to ever happen to me. He… saved me from myself and all of my stupid, self-imposed guilt and hang-ups." Bella smiled again, "Okay, not all of them, but a lot of them. I was just going through life, wrapped up in my defensive shell, you know, never getting involved, being independent. Keeping my distance from everyone, and never letting anyone get close, and then Edward came along and he changed everything! He challenged me. He made me realize that I wasn't a freak; he gave me freedom by taking me as his submissive."
Bella was blushing as she looked at Edward, "He gave me his unconditional love. He gave me the courage to face Charlie."
Edward shook his head, "No, Bella, you did that all own your own"
"But don't you see Edward? I couldn't have had that confrontation three months ago!" Bella argued.
Paul interrupted them, "Alright, I'm getting a clearer picture now. Edward can you tell me; what would you say that your greatest hindrance in this relationship is at the moment?"
Edward frowned, "What do you mean by 'hindrance'?"
"Why do you think that you need couples counseling?" Paul asked.
Edward exchanged a look with Bella "We need to work on our communication skills, I guess. Bella is not just my submissive. She is the most important person in my life and neither of us has been in an adult relationship before, and certainly not one where we are part time Dom and sub and full time live in partners. The lines get blurred." Edward ran a hand through his hair.
Paul smiled, "No relationship is easy. When there are very real issues facing you like life threatening events; abandonment issues; not to mention millions of people who watch your every move – on screen and off and then you add your lifestyle into the mix, you are bound to have some communication issues."
Bella sighed, "When you say it like that, it sounds like an impossible task".
"It's not impossible, Bella. If you know what you are dealing with and what to look for – the pitfalls and dangers, you take away the fear of the unknown. Knowing what you need to face is half the battle. If you are prepared to work at your relationship as life partners and then as Dom and sub, well it's not plain sailing, but the dramas of the past week can certainly be avoided. Okay, I think we have done very well for our first session."
Bella and Edward looked shocked, "Our first session?"
Paul shrugged, "Sure. Are you both committed to this, together and separately?"
Bella turned to Edward, "Are you up for this?" She asked him quietly.
Edward smiled at her and he leaned over and kissed her cheek before he whispered in her ear, "Damn straight Baby."
Bella grinned and she looked across at Paul, "We are."
"Great! Bella, Edward, I would suggest seeing you on the same day at different times. Edward, you say that you've got filming coming up soon. Let's see what we can do to work around that, but in the meantime, Bella, I'd like to see you twice a week to begin with. I'll give you a call tomorrow and we can check and see what suites us. "
Bella nodded, "okay."
"Edward, I'd like to see you twice a week as well for the first couple of weeks. I don't think that you will need to keep that up, we should go to once a week and then to once every second week."
"Okay." Edward said.
"Lastly, as for seeing you as a couple, I would like to suggest that we meet once every second week. Right now, I think if we put too much on your already full plates, you are going to get overwhelmed and burned out and we don't want that. Also, from time to time there is going to be a bit of homework, but I will incorporate that into activities most likely. You are both keeping journals right now, for your mentoring, and if need be, we can always bring that into our sessions, if it is relevant.
We can make your couples therapy on one of the days when you are both scheduled to see me."
They both nodded.
"Great, so I will contact you both tomorrow to set up times for the coming week and I will see you together in about two weeks together, alright?"
Edward walked Paul to the front door as Bella began to tidy up the dinner dishes and coffee mugs.
When Edward returned to the kitchen, Bella had just finished cleaning the kitchen. She wanted Maggie to come home to a clean kitchen.
Bella felt Edward watching her and she looked up to see him leaning against the wall watching her.
She smiled briefly and raised her eyebrow, "So, what do you think?" She asked quietly as she set the coffee maker for the next morning.
"I like him and I think that we can trust him. How do you feel?"
Bella nodded, "I like him too. He is very easy to talk to and he doesn't make me feel… threatened in any way."
They decided to watch a movie and moved to the den, where they sprawled across the couch, with Bella laying between Edward's legs, and her head leaning against his shoulder.
It was a good movie, but Bella kept getting distracted as she thought about Alice and how much she missed her already and how she was going to cope with seeing her from a distance only over the next few weeks.
Edward could feel the tension running through Bella's body. He tried to be patient as he waited for her to voice whatever was obviously upsetting her. When she didn't, he sighed impatiently as he felt his own body getting tense.
Eventually the credits began to roll and Bella sat up and rolled away from Edward immediately.
Edward ran his hands through his hair as he stared up at her from under his lashes.
"I'm going to write in my journal a bit. It's been too long since I wrote last." Bella said and Edward heard the slightly angry tone in her voice.
He frowned, "Okay, sure. I'll see you upstairs." He said quietly as Bella got up and left the room without looking at him.
What the fuck now?
****~~~~PLU~~~~****
Bella wondered why she was suddenly so angry with Edward. They had made up and they had forgiven each other for the misunderstandings and miscommunication. So why am I so pissed with him? It's over and done with! I need to let this go…
She was laying across their bed with her journal open to her last entry. It was the writing assignment that Edward had instructed her to do for him. Her eyes caught the last few paragraphs that she had written:
I find it ironical that my Master asked me to write about why I am beautiful inside and out when half the time I don't feel like that. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I tried to be objective and to see what he sees when he looks at me… well, I still don't get it.
I see a woman who isn't ugly, but she is not perfect in any way. Her mouth is a little too full and pouty for her face, small nose, brown eyes, and normal size ears (I hope!). This woman blushes too much. She can't hide her feelings; they are there for everyone to see.
Is she beautiful? Not by today's standards. Not conventionally. But she is uniquely beautiful in that there is an inner light that gives her a glow. An inner beauty that seems to shine out of her eyes makes her smile.
Is that what my Master sees?
Doesn't he know that what he is seeing is his love that she is responding to? It's him that makes her beautiful. I am beautiful Master, for you, because of you.
Bella saw that Edward had read what she had written and the comment underneath made her heart ache with tenderness:
I wish that you wouldn't question your beauty Isabella – just embrace it. I never said that you were perfect – but you are exquisite to me. I love you.
Bella sighed and began to write some of what she was feeling. She didn't want to put her feelings down in paper, because that would almost make them real, but she had promised herself and Edward that she would not hide any longer and that she would be completely honest with him and herself.
Meanwhile Edward had phoned Jasper.
They spoke about Jasper's family and how their getaway had gone. Jasper's parents were happy about their engagement and were excited about the upcoming nuptials. Edward told Jasper about the munch and their dinner out.
Jasper sighed, "Alice is driving me crazy. You'd think that her punishment was a fucking death sentence!" Jasper said.
Edward frowned, "Bella asked me to think about lessening their time apart. We didn't think of the fact that they are going to be together for therapy and the functions this month…"
"Absolutely not, Edward! It's done and they are going to have to accept it! Alice also asked me about that, and I said that I would talk to you. I think that obviously they are going to have to communicate when they see each other in company, but that's it! No phone calls! No running to the bathroom together! No little shopping sprees, like the one that she wanted to go on with Rosalie and Emmett today. No private chats – I'm sorry, but I'm not having them sitting somewhere, telling secrets and then they 'conveniently' forget to tell us something! Alice has got to learn a lesson here – I will not allow her to confide in Bella when she hasn't confided in me!" Jasper was almost shouting by the time he had finished talking to Edward and as Edward listened he heard a door slamming in the background.
There was a lot more going on than Jasper was talking about.
"Whoa Jazz! Calm the fuck down there, Bud! It's not like you to get so emotional. What's really going on?" Edward asked.
There was a moment of silence and when Jasper spoke again, Edward could hear that he was forcing himself to keep calm. "Edward, you know Alice and me. Yeah she can push my buttons, and we fight, but this… this is something different. She lied to me! She deceived me and it wasn't once or twice – this has gone on for two fucking years. I just keep thinking what else hasn't she told me? I'm supposed to be her best friend, the person that she is going to spend the rest of her life with, but she couldn't trust me with this?" Edward could hear how miserable and hurt Jasper was.
"Listen, why don't we get together in the next few days to discuss this? It's not like you to harbor a grudge and definitely not against Tink. Garrett really helped to talk me back from the self righteous ledge that I was sitting on the other day…" Edward said.
"It's not the same…" Jasper said defensively.
"Jazz, just do this okay? I think once you listen to someone else's perspective, you'll see things in a different light."
"Maybe" Jasper said.
"Now you sound like me!" Edward said with amusement in his voice.
"Alright! Damn it! When?" Jasper sounded resigned.
Edward smiled, "Let me call you tomorrow. Now go and give my sister a kiss and be nice to her!"
Jasper muttered something under his breath and said goodbye.
Edward put the phone down and sat thinking about his best friend and his sister for a moment.
They rarely had arguments. Edward knew that Alice and Jasper were made for each other. He was the calm to her storm. And she was the sunshine to his otherwise safe and drab existence.
It sounds like we all need some help. Edward thought as he locked up for the night and went upstairs.
He walked into the bedroom and stopped at the sight before him.
Bella was lying across the bed wearing only a sheer deep purple baby doll, fast asleep.
Her head was resting on one arm while the other one lay on her journal.
The tiny scrap of see-though material had ridden up and bunched around her hips. Edward felt himself growing hard as he looked at her pale, round ass cheeks. He bit back a groan.
He wanted to lie over her and bury himself deep inside her warm little pussy or her tight ass.
Oh fuck!
Bella's hair was spread over her face and as he watched she muttered impatiently in her sleep and pushed some of her hair out of her eyes. It made Edward smile, as this was obviously one of her pet peeves and the reason when she so often tied her hair up when she slept.
He ignored his discomfort and moved to the bed and pulled back the covers. Then, picking her up in his arms gently, Edward tucked Bella into bed. He picked up her journal and put it on his bedside table before he washed his face and brushed his teeth and stripped before climbing into bed. He lay on his side facing the small lamp as he picked up Bella's journal and began to read with interest.
Even asleep, Bella sought Edward out. She shifted around until she had tucked herself against his back. Edward could hear her moan of contentment as her body came into contact with his skin. Bella slipped a leg in-between his as she pressed her small body as close to his as possible. Bella put an arm around his waist and she pressed her face into his spine.
"Hmmm… Edward…" Bella brushed her nose against his skin and Edward closed his eyes as his cock twitched at her touch. Her delicate fingers flittered over his hip, before they settled low, bushing his hardness.
Edward knew that it would be a while before he could sleep, so he tried to concentrate on reading instead.
Journal Entry # 1 of 2010.
I don't know why I'm feeling so resentful of my Master. Well not really my Master, but Edward. My Master behaved like a true hero the other night! I had a great time at the party and Master was wonderful. He was thoughtful and attentive but he allowed me freedom and then he stood up for me when Miss Mandy and one of the 'Witches' got out of hand! I made some new friends and I want to have Harry and Edgar and perhaps Stanley and Bernice over for dinner one evening.
Training has been going well, and I am finding out things about myself that I still need to process and research *Must talk to Kate*
I have enjoyed making friends. I've never been one for having friends and it's only since I've met Master's family, or my new family that I have had so many friends! Before it was Angela and a couple of acquaintances, but now I have family and friends and buddies.
I miss Ali. I miss her spontaneity and her zest. I hated seeing her like that the other morning. She is not the cry-baby type and I am angry that Master and Jasper caused her to be like that! I don't know what Jasper is trying to accomplish by being so heavy handed with her?
Is this because he feels like shit because he didn't pick up that there was a problem and he is trying to hide his guilt? Does he not want Alice and me to be friends anymore?
I wasn't collared when this happened so why does my 'punishment' feel like a collared one? I feel bad because we (Master and I) have forgiven each other, but somehow, I just can't let this go!
I don't want this to interfere with my training – I really feel as if I am doing well and I want to please my Master. Master - We need to talk.
Edward put her journal down and pursed his lips as he thought about what Bella had written.
He was proud of her for the degree of honesty and openness that she was showing. He needed to talk to Jasper soon and sort this out; he didn't want Bella or Alice building up resentment for them. It was not going to do their relationships any good if that happened.
Edward reached over and turned out the light.
As he lay down, he groaned into his pillow as Bella ground her hot centre against his ass.
Fuck! Emmett's hairy ass… kissing Jasper... kissing Emmett's hairy ass… kissing Alice… seeing Mom and Dad… Edward felt his hard on slowly subsiding with a sigh of relief.
Eventually Edward closed his eyes.
****~~~~PLU~~~~****
The following day Paul called Bella and he confirmed appointments for both of them for Tuesdays and Thursdays with their couple's therapy being on a Tuesday evening, after Bella got home from work. Bella had asked for early morning appointments.
Bella had been on edge the entire day. She could feel herself getting wound up tighter than a drum. She knew what it was. She had a therapy session at 7 a.m. the next morning. She had woken up with feeling tense. Edward wasn't in bed and it pissed her off. When she went down to the gym for a workout, Edward was swimming laps and it pissed her off.
Bella worked herself extra hard, to the point that Edward came over and stopped her when she hit the nine mile mark on the treadmill and it pissed her off.
Bella was afraid. She was worried about opening up a 'can of worms' with Paul. He would be asking about so much more than the gentle questions that he had asked the previous day. As she made breakfast, Bella wondered what he would think about her relationship with Renee, or Charlie. What if it was just that she was unlovable after all?
STOP IT BELLA! She told herself, but the little voices from long ago seemed to echo in the back of her mind.
Edward seemed fine about his appointment the following day and it pissed her off.
Every time that Bella saw his face, or heard his voice and listened as he talked on the phone or to her, she had an overwhelming urge to smack him. Again!
I'm turning into some kind of monster. Bella thought with half a snigger.
Edward had tried to keep things light and friendly, but Bella rebuffed him each time he tried to talk to her or when he tried to touch her. He was confused. What the fuck had he done?
Kate arrived for her mentoring session and both Bella and Edward were pleased to see her.
Bella pulled Kate into her bedroom and they sat in the small seating area.
"I'm loosing my mind, Kate!" Bella said.
Kate smiled "I doubt that. What's going on?"
Bella told her about meeting Paul and their impromptu session as well as her upcoming session. She told Kate how aggressive she was feeling towards Edward.
"It sounds like you need a session in the playroom, Bella."
Bella looked at her, shocked. "What? No! That's the last thing I want! This is just too much, Kate! I can't cope with having to rehash my pathetic past. It just makes me feel inadequate. If I had to go into the playroom right now, I don't know what I would do… No. That's the last thing I need." Bella was talking halfway to herself as she spoke to Kate.
Kate gave her a hard look, "One of the traits of a submissive is to know when she needs something and to convey that to her Master. Now, we have spoken about this. You have made remarkable inroads in your communication with your Master."
Kate leaned forward, "Isabella, your Master can't help you if you don't tell him how you are feeling."
Bella laughed, "So, I must just go to him and say what? I need you to spank me because I'm in a bad mood?"
Kate nodded.
"I don't think so Kate. The two things are completely unrelated. Fuck! Look, I'm sorry; I should have not wasted your time. I should have just cancelled this morning, I'm useless right now. Maybe once I get this first session over with, it will be better." Bella said.
Kate sat back, "I'm your friend Bella. Look, why don't we talk about something else and put the lessons aside for now. Did you enjoy the party?"
Bella and Kate spoke about the people that she had met and Bella told Kate that she wanted to get to know Harry and Bernice. Kate thought it was a great idea and she suggested that Bella make arrangements to meet them on Friday afternoon, after her waxing session.
Finally Bella brought up the two traits that she had discovered about herself the previous week.
"Um, Kate, at the party, when my Master motioned for me to come to him just before we left, I crawled to him. Did you notice that?"
Kate nodded, "I did. I was proud of you, Little B. You behaved so well, your training is starting to show."
Bella was pleased with her praise, but she didn't want to get distracted by it. "Thanks, but when Master and I were training last week, I realized that there are certain things that I want to explore, but I'm not sure how far to go… or even if I really want to try them, or just let them remain a fantasy in my head… Master said that I should talk to you."
"Ask away, that's what I'm here for…"
"Okay, well one of the things that I wanted to explore was the whole issue of um, humiliation." Bella felt herself turning scarlet. She grabbed for her bottle of water and took a quick sip.
"Um, I'm not sure how to explain it, but hearing Edward instructing my every move was such a turn on last week. I was willing, more than willing to do whatever he said. I wanted him to use me… look, I'm not explaining this very well…" Bella said as she twisted her fingers together.
Kate stilled her nervous hands. "You are explaining it very well, B. There is nothing to get embarrassed about. A lot of submissives like humiliation to some extent, either public or private. Now what you need to do is see where your limit is. You said there was something else?"
Bella licked her suddenly dry lips, "Well, Master said some things to me last week, and the thought of me either getting off or having sex or pleasing Master in front of others is a turn on…"
Bella could feel her heart pounding in her chest from anxiety. Could this get any more mortifying?
Kate just grinned at her. "Bella come on! I thought you were going to challenge me here! You know I feel the same way, which is why Garrett and I agreed to 'demonstrate' for you and Edward. We would never do that openly, or for just anyone, but you would be surprised how satisfying it is to do a scene for other people that you trust when you know that they are getting off on watching it as you are on doing it."
The air in the room suddenly felt thick, as Bella remembered sitting in their playroom watching Garrett and Kate.
Bella swallowed, "Really?" She whispered as she felt her nipples pebble at the thought of Kate and Garrett watching her and Master…
Kate smiled at her in understanding, "Oh yes. If you like we can set it up. You and Edward are beautiful people Bella, why wouldn't we want to watch you please each other? I know that it's not everyone's taste, but it is Gar's and mine and it seems to be yours. Now what you need to do is have an open discussion with Edward and find out how it fits in with his limits."
Bella promised Kate that she would speak to Edward before he collared her on Friday.
After Kate left, Bella felt better. Although she felt guilty about the way she had treated Edward. She made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch and she heated some soup. Edward was working and Bella took his lunch into his office on a tray.
He barely looked up when she walked in and that just pissed her off all over again.
Thanks for making my mood better, Sparky! Bella thought as she stomped out of his office.
When had Paul phoned Edward to confirm his appointment, it was just after Kate and Bella had disappeared into Bella's room and Edward asked Paul if he had spoken to Bella already. Paul confirmed that he had. Edward asked him what was wrong with her as she seemed to be spoiling for a fight all morning.
"I don't understand her, Paul! Bella is making me nuts! She woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and she has been snapping and hissing like a crocodile caught in a hole." Edward said with a sigh.
Paul laughed, "Well, you described her perfectly. I think that Bella is feeling a little on edge about her session with me. Sort of like buyer's remorse, you know?"
Edward frowned, "Buyer's remorse?"
"You know when you see a car that you know that you've got to have? It's everything that you want in a car and when you test drive it you fit perfectly. So you trade in your old car and drive away. The next morning you walk out to your trusty… Volvo and instead you see your Porsche sitting in the driveway. Suddenly, you want your Volvo back. You liked it! It was familiar and actually, you tell yourself, it's your wife's entire fault that you got rid of the Volvo! She encouraged you! She actually pushed you… Do you see where I'm going with this?" Paul's voice held ill concealed amusement.
"So, you're saying that she is scared and she is blaming me because she is looking for an excuse to get out of it?" Edward was more confused than ever.
"Kind of."
"Then why doesn't she just cancel the session if she isn't ready?"
"It's not that she isn't ready, Edward. Nor is it that she wants to back out of it. It's more like, she has an overload of conflicting emotions and you are the closest person to her right now. You just need to stay calm and do not let her draw you into her spiral. Walk away if you have to. Go for a walk, or a run or something, but don't let her get to you."
Edward agreed and he made sure that he kept his distance for the rest of the day, so when Bella brought him lunch he acted like it was no big deal.
Bella and Edward were pleased to see Maggie and Reggie on Monday evening and Edward invited them to join him and Bella for dinner, after he had asked Bella and she had grunted at him in agreement.
Edward noticed that Bella was on edge that evening. She picked at her food and although it set Edward's teeth on edge to keep quiet, that's exactly what he did. As soon as Maggie and Reggie left for home, Bella excused herself and she went up to her studio.
Edward worked on his script, making notes and suggestions in the margin. He had a cast meeting coming up and he wanted to be prepared.
He had spoken to Jasper earlier on and they had decided to meet for lunch the next day.
Finally he noticed that it was almost 10 p.m. and Bella had not made an appearance again. He locked the house up and set the alarm.
As he neared the third floor, he heard Bella banging things around in her studio.
Edward pushed the door open.
Bella was dressed in what she called her painting clothes.
She was wearing a pair of jeans that Edward swore must have been from when she was fifteen or so.
They were loose and just barely gripped her hips. She was wearing an old plaid shirt of Charlie's that was full of paint smears. It was knotted in her waist.
Her hair was pulled up and stuck into a messy bun with a paint brush pushed through it. Bella was staring or glaring at the canvass that was sitting on her easel.
Edward leaned against the door frame and watched Bella narrow her eyes at the canvas. Edward turned his attention to the piece that was causing Bella so much trouble. His eyes widened.
It was him. He was lying across a bed. It looked like his bed in Italy. The sheet was tangled in his legs. One arm was draped across where another body should have been. Edward could see the faint impressions of her in the empty pillow. His face wasn't clearly visible, instead it was cleverly cast in shadows, as if sunlight was pouring in a window, causing light and darkness to fall on the bed. His hair was its usual mess.
One leg was out of the sheets and the sheet bunched around his hips, lower on one side, where the hint of a dimple peeked out. Edward wasn't a vain man, but he could feel himself puff up with pleasure at the painstaking way in which Bella had captured his form.
Bella would stare at the picture and then add a dab of off white paint to the 'creases' in the sheets that she had created.
It was good.
Damn. It's more than good, it's brilliant.
She is so gifted.
"Baby?" He said softly.
Bella gasped and twirled around to face him. She automatically stepped in front of the painting and Bella felt heat rushing into her face.
"What?" She said, more harshly than she intended.
Bella was spoiling for a fight.
Edward's eyes narrowed at her tone. He knew that she was on edge because of the impending session with Paul, and he also knew that this was her way of coping with having to open up to someone. Even though this was her choice, Bella was distancing herself from him.
Well, not this time, Miss Bella! Edward felt his temper boiling up. The temptation of the playroom with its spanking bench was almost too much to think about.
"Isabella, do not take that tone with me!" Edward's eyes narrowed in silent warning.
Bella glared at him, "What did you say?" She hissed.
Edward took one step forward.
Bella stood her ground.
"I said 'Isabella, do not take that…" he began.
"Oh God! I heard you, Edward! Don't talk to me as if I am your sub! I'm not wearing my collar, so don't try and 'handle' me, it won't fly!" Bella almost shouted.
Edward stared at her for a moment. Do not react. Do not react. Do not react…. Fuck! This is not working…
Edward did the next best thing – he walked away.
In fact he changed into a pair of shorts and his running shoes and he ran ten miles on the treadmill. He felt better when he was finished and after locking up the house he walked upstairs and noticed that the lights on the staircase to the studio were still on.
Edward had a shower and climbed into bed. Edward tried to stay awake but he was fast asleep by the time that Bella tiptoed downstairs and into their room.
Bella got undressed quietly and she slipped into bed, wearing one of Edward's T-shirts. Edward was lying on his back with his one arm across his chest.
She hated that she had been such a bitch to him. She hated the mood swings and for the hundredth time, Bella wondered if there was something wrong with her? She inched her way across the space between them. Bella was miserable and she felt tears pricking her eyelids. She bit her lip as she got close to Edward's body. Bella reached up slowly and touched his arm.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
Bella leaned forward and gently kissed his shoulder.
"I love you, Edward."
She felt a stray tear run down her face as she sighed and tried to get comfortable.
Bella wiped her face and she heard Edward clear his throat. She looked up and saw that his eyes were open.
He was watching her.
"I'm a bitch."
Edward brushed a strand of hair off her cheek as he turned to face her.
"You're afraid." Edward captured her small hand and kissed her fingers
"I'm mean." Bella leaned up and pressed her lips to his jaw.
"You're going to be okay."
"I don't deserve your understanding."
"You deserve everything in this world and more…"
"I'm sorry."
"It's forgotten already."
"I miss Ali... and I'm scared… and I'm sorry that I fucked up in the first place… I'm pissed off with myself and Alice for this entire thing! …and I'm afraid that this therapy is going to change how you see me… and I'm angry that I can't call my bestie and tell her what's going on and I'm pissed off with you and Jasper and I'm sorry that I am…" her frantic whispering came to a stop eventually.
They stared at each other for long moments.
Edward sighed and lifted his arm.
"Come here, Baby."
Bella quickly shifted until she was lying in his arms.
"I know that you miss Alice. I miss her too. I spoke to Jazz last night and I'm meeting him for lunch tomorrow. He's still upset with her, more so I think because she kept this thing hidden for so long. I promised you that I would talk to him and I will, but for now, you are going to have to make do with seeing her at therapy and the functions that we are going to together. I know that this is tough, Bella, but you need to understand something. You and Alice mean everything to us and we came really close to losing one or both of you. Finding out that there was someone else who posed a threat to you – either one of you was scary as all fucking hell for us. We want to protect you at all costs – even if it means that we all have to suffer for it."
Edward spoke quietly and with careful chose of words. He didn't want to antagonize Bella any further but he also wanted to make sure that he was getting his point across.
"As for therapy changing how I see you, well that's just silly. Look at me, Isabella." Bella sat up so that she was looking down into Edward's eyes that looked black in the dark.
"I want you to listen to me and listen really well. I am never going to stop loving you, Isabella Marie Swan. I will always love you. I will always want you. Like I said in your journal entry, I never said that you are perfect and nobody but you expects you to be perfect. You are perfect for me, Isabella. That's all that matters."
Edward pulled Bella down gently so that he could kiss her.
They parted and Bella smiled at him tentatively.
"The other thing was that you felt that your punishment was like a collared one, well I'm sorry but it wasn't. I would make damn sure that you were collared and your punishment would have entailed some sort of physical discomfort – and you know that."
Bella sighed and put her head down to his bare chest.
"I know, and I have accepted it – but I don't have to like it." She said and Edward smiled as he heard the pout in her voice.
"I know, and that's okay too, Baby. Now are you going to get some sleep?"
"I don't want to sleep…" she said, her tone still sulky.
Edward moved his hands down to the hem of the t-shirt.
"Can I do something to help you sleep? Hmm…" he rolled her onto her back as he gently tickled her sides and kissed her neck.
"Edward…" Bella moaned as she pressed her bare pussy into his wondering hand.
"Shh… let me help you to relax, Baby, I'm not going anywhere…"
****~~~~PLU~~~~****
Bella was surprised when she woke up the next morning that she had slept so well indeed. She smiled as she remembered the 'method' that Edward had chosen to relax her. He had kept her on the edge of her orgasm for a long time taking her to the very edge, before bringing her back down and then he would once again move faster, using his cock and his fingers to take her to the brink until at last she flew over the side as she screamed his name.
She had slept without any nightmares or dreams. Edward got up with her and they worked out together. He didn't try and crowd her or even talk to her, but having him close was a comfort and help to sooth her nerves.
Bella dressed for work in a black Chanel suite teamed with a red blouse. She pulled her hair up into a high ponytail and did her make up. For some reason she wanted to dress up. Alice always told her that she could draw power from her clothing and as Bella looked at herself in the mirror, she felt powerful and more in control.
Edward smiled when she came downstairs to join him for a quick breakfast. He had packed her a lunch box breakfast for after her session, as well as lunch and a couple of protein bars and some nuts for snack time.
Bella kissed him goodbye and smiled slightly at Anderson. She was silent on the short drive to Paul's private practice rooms. Bella looked out the window as she absently sipped her coffee in her travel mug.
When she arrived, an older woman greeted her in the small, comfortable reception area.
"Bella?"
Bella nodded.
"I'm Harriet; Dr Banner-Jones will see you once you have filled in this form."
Bella sat down and filled in the medical form. As her next of kin she hesitated, but then she added both Edward and Charlie's details.
Once she had handed the form back to the receptionist, Paul came out of his office.
"Good Morning Bella, come on through." He said.
Bella stood up and walked into his office.
She was surprised at what she found.
It was furnished like a sitting room. There were a couple of couches, some armchairs. His desk was pushed into a corner, in front of a wall of books.
There were pieces of artwork on the walls, kids pictures had been framed and were grouped together in a corner where there was a small table and chairs and a couple of boxes of toys.
"Wow. This is not what I expected." Bella said.
"What did you expect, one couch and a huge desk?" Paul asked as he waited for Bella to sit down.
Bella smiled, "Something like that. Do you want me to lie down?"
"Why? Are you tired?" He said with a teasing smile.
Bella felt herself blushing, "No... I just… I'm just nervous…" she stood in the middle of the room uncertainly, wishing that Edward was there.
Paul smiled kindly at her, "Bella, there is nothing that is a threat to you in here. You may sit wherever you wish to." He said and with that he sat down in one of the arm chairs.
Bella let out a breath of air that she had been holding in and she sat down on the couch that faced him.
"Are you comfortable?"
Bella nodded although Paul noticed that she was twisting a bracelet around on her arm. Bella saw him looking at it and she covered it with her hand.
"Is that special to you?"
"Yes, Edward bought it for me when we met in Italy."
"What does your father, Charlie?" Bella nodded confirmation, "What does Charlie think of Edward?"
Bella smiled, "I was surprised but he likes him. He knows that Edward is a good man and after… Jacob, and everything, he knows that Edward will take care of me. I told him about our lifestyle and he was obviously concerned at first, but he spoke to Carlisle and Garrett and he says that he accepts that we are different. He can see that Edward loves me and that I love him."
"Why did you tell Charlie about your lifestyle, Bella? I mean, it's not the norm for children to discuss their sexuality with their parents unless they happen to have a close relationship, which you haven't so far, so I was wondering why?"
Bella blushed, "Charlie says that he wants to get to know me – the real me – well being a submissive is part of the real me and if he is going to accept me, then he has to accept that this is my lifestyle choice. This is my choice – not Edward's or ours – mine."
Paul nodded, "I want you to think about my next question carefully before you answer. If for some reason, you didn't have Edward in your life any longer; would you still be a submissive or would you leave the lifestyle?"
Bella looked startled for a moment. She was quiet for a long time and Paul watched the fleeting emotions cross her face before she looked resigned.
"I will always be a submissive, Paul. But I would never have another Dom. I'm not sure what I would do, but I wouldn't give myself to another man again. Edward is and always will be my Dominant. I may submit to others, but I won't be collared again."
Paul nodded. "You have obviously given this some thought. Okay, let's change the subject slightly; tell me your two best memories of Charlie and then I want your two worst ones."
Bella began to talk about her father. As she spoke, hesitantly at first, she began to relax as she slowly opened up to Paul.
Paul allowed her to talk, asking her questions or for clarification every now and again.
Bella found herself telling Paul about Renee as well. She told him about her lonely childhood and adolescence. Paul made a couple of notes, but for the most part he just listened to Bella.
After an hour and a half he wound the session down by asking her questions about her job, and her art.
"Okay, I think that we are ready to stop for now."
Bella was surprised that so much time had passed. She stood up and picked up her purse.
"I will see you on Thursday morning, Bella."
Bella nodded and she said goodbye to Paul and Harriet as she walked out of the office.
Anderson was waiting for her in the lobby. Bella was quiet on the way to work. She felt relieved that it was over, but at the same time she felt lighter. Talking to Paul had made her think of memories that she had all but forgotten. They weren't all bad memories either.
****~~~~PLU~~~~****
Edward and Jasper sat outside on Jasper and Alice's covered deck. Jasper's housekeeper Jessica had served them lunch a while ago. Alice had opted to eat in her office once again.
Jasper wasn't looking too good and his mood was worse. "…she has been moping around here ever since we got back. She obeys me without question when she's collared, but she only talks when I talk to her. She is sleeping in the spare room, not even her sub room - I'm almost out of ideas… she is so fucking stubborn, E."
Edward smiled as he looked at his best friend, "Jasper, this is not a surprise to you. She has always been stubborn. Look, at some point one of you is going to have to give a little. If you don't this is going to get so bad that at some point someone is going do something stupid and then what? Jazz, man this isn't like you… what's really going on?"
Jasper reached over and took one of Edward's cigarettes out of his pack. Edward was shocked. He had only ever seen Jasper smoke a handful of times in the ten years that they had known each other.
"I keep wondering why she couldn't tell me… Ali has never shown me any indication that she doesn't trust me and I have always been really careful not to betray her trust, so why didn't she trust me?" Jasper took a drag of his cigarette before he stood up abruptly and walked to the edge of the porch. Edward watched as he brushed his hand over his eyes.
"Fuck Edward… what if she's falling out of love with me… what if she doesn't want to stay?" Jasper spoke with his back to Edward.
Edward checked his watch, he was mindful of the fact that he had to get to Paul's office.
"Jazz, stay here for a moment, I need to see my sister." Edward walked inside before Jasper could stop him.
Edward stood outside Alice's office door. He could hear 30 Seconds to Mars belting down the hallway.
Knocking was going to be a waste of time.
Edward turned the handle.
Alice was sitting on the floor of her office wearing a pair of gym leggings and a sports bra with one of Edward's old school sweatshirts over it.
Alice didn't hear her brother walk in. She was sitting staring at her laptop screen blankly as she banged her head against the back of her swivel chair, in time to Jared Leto's voice.
"Alice?"
Edward walked over to the iPod in the docking station and switched it off.
Alice shot up off the floor, her eyes wide with shock and indignation.
"Turn that back on, Edward!" She shouted.
Edward had never seen his sister looking so untidy or forlorn.
He held the iPod in his hand as he continued to stare at her without saying anything.
"What? What do you want Edward? Did you come to see me so that you can gloat? Do you want another apology? What the fuck do you want from me?" Alice screamed as hot angry tears rolled down her pale cheeks.
Edward opened his arms to her, "I'm sorry Ali. I should have been there for you. I should have been the one person that you could come to. I let you down… I'm sorry…"
Alice bit back a sob as she shook her head. For once her hair wasn't in artful disarray. It was flat and dull and plastered to her head.
Edward watched as his sister's face crumbled. He gathered her into his arms and held her as she cried for long moments. Her sobs filled the air as her small body shook in pain and anger.
Eventually Alice's cries died down until at last she was still. Edward scooped her up and carried her down the hallway to the master suite. He put her on a couch as he went to turn the shower on.
When he came back, he squatted down in front of her. "I want you to go and have a nice long shower. I'll get you something to wear and then we will talk, okay?"
Alice nodded and she got up and walked into the bathroom.
Edward looked up and saw Jasper standing in the doorway. His red rimmed eyes told Edward that he had heard Alice crying.
Finally Edward understood what Garrett had felt when he had looked at him, because for the first time ever, Edward could have quite happily punched Jasper the fuck out!
"Go and make her some tea or something and get her something to wear that isn't fucking workout clothes! Just give us some space to talk, Jazz" Edward said and Jasper wasn't surprised to hear the hard tone in Edward's voice.
Jasper came back inside five minutes later with a pair of jeans, a long sleeve top and a waterfall jersey that he knew was one of Alice's favorites. He had also added a matching set of underwear and a pair of Jimmy Choo boots – another of Alice's favorites. Jasper wasn't ready to incur the wrath of her brother as well.
Alice showered and washed her hair. She hadn't really cared about her appearance since they had come back from Texas.
Jasper had removed her collar and he had then proceeded to alternate between ignoring her and making sure that she knew that he was feeling hurt and sad.
Well, what about her?
Alice finished up in the shower and pulled her gown on as she walked out to their bedroom. Edward had put a set of clothing on the foot of the bed.
Alice squealed when she saw her boots and her all-time favorite 7 for Humanity jeans.
How had he done this?
Alice didn't waste any time so she dried her body as quickly as she could and she dressed in the matching panties and bra in fire engine red – hmmm, Alice wrinkled her nose as she wondered why Edward would pick that set, it was… it was Jasper's favorites… oh.
Alice sat down. Jasper had chosen her clothes.
Alice dressed slowly. He had chosen her favorite casual clothing, boots, and jersey.
She towel dried her hair and found a bottle of her hair wax sitting on the dressing table.
Jasper again.
Alice wondered what it all meant.
She opened the bedroom door and walked down the hallway. Edward was sitting in the sitting room drinking a mug of coffee while Jasper stood to one side, looking as if his best friend had just died.
Or left him! Oh.
Jasper looked up as Alice walked over to Edward and she sat down.
She looked up at Jasper; he looked so tired and sad.
"Thanks for the clothes."
He nodded, "You're welcome."
Edward shook his head as he handed Alice her cup of tea.
"Pathetic! Honest to God you two are as pathetic as Bella and I are! We are a hopeless bunch! Look, I have to go to therapy so I don't really have much time, but I'm going to try and tell you both some things that I hope will help you and not fuck things up even more – do not interrupt me until I am done, okay?"
Alice and Jasper nodded, but both of them were still trying to get past what Edward had said about going to therapy!
"Hey!" Edward clicked his fingers at them and they refocused on his face, "That's better; okay here it is: Jasper, you love Alice and Alice, you love Jasper. Alice you thought that you were protecting Jasper's family or something by keeping quiet about that little shithead and Jasper, you were so busy trusting Alice to tell you if there was a problem that you didn't see that after the first time, Alice was off whenever Ricky was around. Now Alice you deceived Jasper and he is wondering if you don't trust him. Or if you ever trusted him…"
Alice looked up to see Jasper staring at her. She jumped up, "Jazz, I…"
"Uh – uh – uh – sit DOWN and LISTEN TO ME and then you can both moon over each other and cry or what the fuck ever – where were we? Okay, yes, if you ever trusted him. He is questioning everything that you have shared, as a D/s couple and as life partners. Alice, you are pissed off because you were found out and now we have pissed on your party and told you to sit in a corner and think about what you have done and Jazz has taken away your party clothes and your car and your best friend, who I might add seems to always follow your lead and she ends up getting into trouble! That's not your fault by the way, Bella has a brain and she needs to begin making choices that factor other people into her decisions."
Alice opened her mouth but Edward put a finger over her lips and shook his head.
His voice softened, "Alice, you and Jasper are made for each other." He looked over to Jasper who had taken a seat opposite Alice. "You love each other so much. Alice, Jasper is scared. Like I told Bella, we almost lost you girls a few short weeks ago. Please put yourself in Jasper's shoes and tell me how you would react if you found out that ANOTHER person wanted to touch, manhandle, molest your partner – perhaps you would also over react a little?"
Jasper bristled at Edward's use of words, "I didn't over…"
Edward cut him off, "Yes, Jazz we did. We both overreacted. You took Alice's clothes and makeup away, for fuck sake as well as 'grounding' her and banning her from seeing Bella! How fucking controlling is that? This is the 21st century and neither you nor I have the right to be so controlling. I know that Alice was collared at the time, but then your discipline should have dealt with this already. I'm telling you both to talk to each other. Jasper, I'm sorry, but you need to let the reins out a little. I'm not much better than you, but I am trying. I also think that we should keep the moratorium in place for the rest of this month, but we should allow supervised visits."
Alice screamed with excitement – Edward shot her a glare "Did I not say, supervised visits – right now Alice, Jasper nor I trust you and Bella alone. So you are to be in company all the time – no shared bathroom visits and no private conversations – we want to know what you are talking about, even if it is about the size of Jasper's schlong!"
"Guys, I've got to go – Jazz, please give this some serious thought and Alice, you need to stop being so fucking stubborn. I love you, Squirt!"
Edward almost crushed her in a hug. He slapped Jasper on the shoulder as he ran out the door.
Jasper sat back and stared at Alice, "So Edward's off to therapy…" Alice said.
"So… you talk about the size of my schlong?" Jasper said.
Alice looked up at him with mounting excitement, "Well, it's quite impressive…" she said huskily.
Jasper smiled at her. "Can we talk? I mean really talk; I've missed you Tink…"
Alice smiled through her tears. "I've missed you too Jazzy…."
****~~~~PLU~~~~****
Edward sat down on the same couch that Bella had sat in that morning.
"How are things going Edward?" Paul smiled at the curiosity that Edward was showing as he looked around Paul's office.
Edward looked back at the other man.
"Okay a lot better than yesterday actually! Bella and I talked last night and you were right. She was scared and she was pissed off with me about something else but in her mind, she pushed the two things together and came up with the fact that she is undeserving and a bitch because I didn't lose my temper, which was thanks to your warning, and that she doesn't deserve me. But what I really think that she is afraid of something else she said last night."
Paul nodded his encouragement, "She said something about what if therapy changes the way that I see her." Edward shook his head and chuckled.
Paul wrote down a comment on his note pad and looked at Edward again, "Why is that funny to you?"
Edward was puzzled by his question, "It's not funny, and it's ludicrous! I told Bella last night, just like I have many times and I suppose that I will say it many times more; there is nothing that is going to stop me from loving her. I don't think she is perfect, in fact I probably know more than anyone just how imperfect she is, but she is perfect for me and that's what I care about! I want Isabella to be happy and healthy. I want her to achieve the great things that I know Bella is destined for. I want her to fly. I want to spend the rest of my life figuring her out."
Edward stopped talking and for a moment he looked self conscious of what he had said and then he smiled his signature crooked smirk that women all over the planet would dropped their panties for.
"I know that I'm a complete pussy when it comes to Isabella Swan, but that's the way it is! As her Dom it is my privilege and honor to train her. Sometimes we ying when we should yang but for the most part, we are doing okay in that department. It's on the one-to-one, everyday, run-of-the-mill communication that we seem to break down."
"You seem to be very… protective of her. Why is that?"
Edward looked up at Paul with shock, "Have you listened to half of her story? Paul, she attracts trouble and disaster like magnets attracts paperclips! She just walks into a situation, thinking, that nothing is going to happen to her and she wants to protect everyone else at her own expense and at her own risk! Bella thinks nothing of sacrificing her own happiness, or comfort or health for the sake of other people!"
Paul held out his hand, "I'm going to shelve this discussion until I have the two of you together. I will be very interested in Bella's response to your comments. But I want to talk about you. I know that you said that you've been struggling since the attack on Bella, your sisters and friend. You hate being apart from Bella and you are afraid to let her out of your sight. Is that still true?"
Edward nodded, "Yeah. I want her with me all the time. I hate it when she is at the gallery and I'm at home. I keep wondering what if something happens to her and she can't get to a phone? What if someone attacks her there? Fuck! I don't know what I'll do…" Edward sat forward and pulled his hair into his fists.
Paul handed him a glass of water and sat he sat quietly until Edward's emotions were under control.
Paul sat forward, "Edward, what happened to Bella with Jacob and James didn't just happen to her and the other women. It happened to you and your brothers and your parents and Bella's father."
Edward looked as if he wanted to argue but Paul pressed on, "You were all helpless. You were all defenseless against those two monsters. They violated all of you, because none of you could defend the women that you love. Now, unfortunately you all have to learn to trust the outside world again, and that mistrust is exacerbated when you live in the world that you do. Edward, I believe that you can get better at trusting Bella's judgments and actions. You can teach her to become vigilant to her surroundings and being a submissive is good practice to learn that sort of control."
"Edward, you can't always be with her, nor would you want to be. You would smother Bella and you would die of boredom. One of the things that you love about each other is that you are an enigma to each other. Well you need to build on that by learning about things separately and sharing them with each other. You can't always control the environment that Bella finds herself in. But you can teach her to take precautions and you have the resources to make some of that happen. The other part is faith. Faith in yourself and each other and in God or Buddha or whoever that will keep the two of you safe."
Edward was quiet. He was thinking about what Paul was saying. "I understand what you are saying, but how do I stop this urge that I have to lock Bella in my playroom for the next twenty years or so?"
Paul laughed outright, "Is that an urge or a fantasy?" At the expression on Edward's face Paul apologized. "Sorry, but I thought that it was getting a little heavy in here. The short answer is that you won't stop all in one go and Bella needs to be patient with you for a while."
"Tell me, how do you eat an elephant?"
Edward stared at Paul as if he had grown two heads, "What?"
Paul smiled, "you heard me correctly."
Edward frowned, "who the fuck knows how to eat an elephant?"
Paul grinned at him, "One bite at a time, Edward. Baby steps! One day at a time, or one gesture of faith at a time. That's how you get better. So, are you ready to begin to do some work?" Paul asked and rubbed his hands together.
For the next forty five minutes they laid a foundation for Edward to work in. Paul understood Edward's time constraints and the pressure of the upcoming movie and he was prepared to work around that. Each week he would set Edward a task to complete. The first one was simple and seemed insignificant to Edward.
He thought about it as Brian drove him home.
For the rest of the week, he was to not seek Bella out during her work day. No phone calls, no texts, no checking in with Anderson to see if she had left the store. Edward thought it would be a simple thing to do, right?
By Wednesday afternoon, Edward realized just how difficult it was. He had smoked almost an entire pack of cigarettes during the course of the morning, had an argument with Maggie, he had almost thrown his laptop through his study window and was about to throw caution to the wind and say fuck it and drive down to the gallery to see her for himself when he saw the SUV pull in through the gates.
Edward almost sprinted out the front door. He had opened the door before Anderson had pulled to a complete stop.
Bella's eyes widened as she took in Edward's disheveled appearance. She would have made a joke about his 'hobo' look, but the wild, almost desperate expression on his face stopped her.
Bella climbed out the SUV and pulled herself into Edward's arms.
Edward's buried his face in the curls hanging down her back.
"Baby…" he said as his hands travelled over her, subconsciously checking that she was fine.
Anderson moved away discreetly.
Bella held Edward tightly around his waist.
"Come on Sparky. Let's go inside." She said.
They walked inside just as the phone began to ring.
Edward walked to the phone on the kitchen wall.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Cullen?"
Edward frowned, "Who's this?"
"This is Chief Westmoreland of SFPD, Sir." Edward could hear Bella phone ring. He looked up as she answered it.
"Hi Charlie, how are you?" Bella said.
"Mr. Cullen? Sir we have some news about Jacob Black…" Edward felt a stone settle in his stomach.
"W-what do you mean? Jacob's…. Dad? Did you say…?" Edward watched as Bella turned white…
"….like I was saying Mr. Cullen, Mr. Black died an hour ago. His father wants us to press charges of Culpable Homicide against Miss. Swan…"
"Daddy? Did you say that Billy wants me charged with murder...?"
Edward dropped the phone just in time to catch Bella as she fell.
****~~~~PLU~~~~****
A/N: Now this cliffie is all my idea! Yes, I know, but come on; we need a little drama (like there's not enough in RL?). So let me know what you think, don't hold back now, okay (like you ever do?). I rely on you to keep me on the straight and narrow (as much as anyone can.). Fiorella has been cracking the whip again as well (it's a long whip okay! From Aussie to South Africa!) And we all know how feisty she can get *rolls eyes*, but she is still the best non Beta, Beta around and I love her.
I've not had much time to read this week, because my true mistress (this story) has been keeping me busy, but there are a couple of gems that I have stumbled across this week that I want to share with you:
The first one is Gateway to the Heart by samekraemer
Summary:
Bella Swan had led a very ordinary life. She'd married her college boyfriend only to be betrayed when he left her for another girl. After the death of her father, she pulled out a map and threw a dart. The implications of that one simple act would surprise her beyond her belief. She found a home...she found a job...could she find love again after surviving a cheating husband? Only time will tell. What secrets will the beautiful stranger she meets have and how will she deal with them?
I have only just begun reading it, but it is looking good so far – give it a try. The meeting between Bella and 'the boys' is priceless!
The next one is OMG! It is only 4 chapters in, but goodness me it's sizzling!
Swing My Way by aricullen1134, DLIR
Summery is simply this: got secrets… dirty little secrets. Bella Swan is tired of her life, so will a swinger's party have someone swing her way. BPOV and EPOV. Warning…LEMONS AHEAD
And boy oh boy – these two ladies are not messing around – you have to read these chapters and let them know what you think…
Okay, that's all from me. I love you all so much – did you see how many reviews we are getting? Leave me a little love and I might leave you a little something too? You will only get it if you review. Hmmm.
Till next time –
Michele
